Manchester City have made a surprising appointment from their biggest rivals. Pepijn Lijnders, who was Jurgen Klopp's right-hand man at Liverpool, has joined Pep Guardiola's coaching staff as his new assistant.
The Dutchman isn't coming alone either. James French, Liverpool's set-piece specialist for the past 13 years, is also making the switch to the Etihad Stadium. This double recruitment comes after City lost three key backroom figures at the end of last season.
Guardiola saw his trusted allies Juanma Lillo, Inigo Dominguez, and Carlos Vicens all depart this summer. The champions needed fresh minds in the dugout, and they've turned to talent from their biggest Premier League rivals.
Lijnders' Football Journey
Lijnders has quite the coaching résumé already. Before his time at Liverpool, he worked with PSV Eindhoven and Porto, building his reputation as a tactical mastermind. At Anfield, he served under both Brendan Rodgers and Jurgen Klopp.
When Klopp left Liverpool last summer, Lijnders also departed. He took over as head coach at Red Bull Salzburg but things didn't go as planned. After just a few months in charge, he was sacked in December 2023.
This new role at City represents a fresh start and a chance to work with one of football's greatest managers. For betting enthusiasts, this appointment could signal City maintaining their tactical edge even after losing key backroom figures.
What This Means for Both Clubs
For Manchester City, these appointments bring in coaches who understand what it takes to challenge at the highest level. Lijnders helped Liverpool push City all the way in several title races, and now brings that insight to Guardiola's team.
French's arrival is equally significant. Set-pieces can decide tight matches, and his expertise could give City an extra edge in those crucial moments that determine titles.
Liverpool fans might feel uncomfortable seeing trusted figures join their rivals. There's also the question of how much inside knowledge these coaches bring with them about Liverpool's methods and strategies.
City's Director of Football Hugo Viana praised the new appointments, saying: "Pepijn and James have each amassed huge experience working in their individual roles over the past few years. Their talent, application, work ethic and all-round commitment are totally aligned with the values that underpin how Pep wants football to be played."
For those considering title odds, this behind-the-scenes strengthening suggests City aren't taking their foot off the gas. The champions continue to evolve their backroom team to maintain their competitive edge in what promises to be another fascinating Premier League season.
